Method of and apparatus for applying sealing closures to bottles and other containers



Sept. 3, 1935. A H. F. GLUNZ 2,013,304

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SEALING CLOSURES TO BOTTLES AND OTHER CONTAINERS Filed April 14, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 .1| Z2 213 H e 24 so 36 3 37 52 18 5| (I) 19 3| 35 A- 4 x3 I 2 INVENTOR A HENRY EGLUNZ H BY 9 A0 9 X A I I ORNEYS Sept. 3, 1935. H. F. GLUNZ 2,013,304

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SEALING CLOSURES TO BOTTLES AND OTHER CONTAINERS Filed April 14, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 i i- '8 l 34 x 55 2 as 11 I 0'60 23 Z5 5' 25 26 l 17 H 2 2.6 INVENTOR BY as x w W 1 z %FORNEY$ t HENRY F.GLUNZ Sept. "3, 1935. H. F. GLUNZ 2,013,304

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SEALING CLOSURES T0 BOTTLES AND OTHER CONTAINERS Filed April 14, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet :5

INVENTOR HENRY F. GLUNZ BY um a MD A TORNEYS Sept. 3, 1935. H. F. GLUNZ 2,013,304

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SEALING CLOSURES T0 BOTTLES AND OTHER CONTAINERS Filed April 14, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l0 n F .'.L E. S 24' 22 21 22 l z 32 x as I 58 o 21 Z3 35 IIIIIIIIII/ INVENTOR H ENRY F. GLUN 2 av KO &0

A ORNEYS Patented Sept. 3, 1935 j UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE Henry F. Glunz, Saratoga Springs, N. Y.

Application April 14, 1934, Serial No. 720,560

23 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in methods of and apparatus for applying sealing closures to bottles and other containers and more particularly closures formed from a cellulose acetate compound.

The object of the invention is to provide a method of and apparatus for applying sealing closures of this nature to bottles and containers of various sorts, which is simple in operation and structure, easily carried out and operated, and efiicient in effecting the application of the closure so. that a liquid tight and air tight seal of the contents in the bottle or container is produced- A further object of the inventionis to provide a method and apparatus of the nature above referred [to wherein the cellulose acetate sealing closure, while being applied to the bottle or container, is first acted upon so that-it will be tightly and smoothly drawn over the open end of the bottle or container and then will be'subjected to an external flexible and resilient pressure combined with the application of heat so that it is caused to have a tight conforming and molded applica- C, tion to the neck of the bottle or container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus of the nature referred to wherein the cellulose .acetate sealing closure, while being applied to the bottle or container, will be acted upon so that its outer peripheral edge zone will be subjected to a flexible and resilient pressure and the application of a heat of an increasing temperature so that it will first become pressed into a conforming and molded fit with the exterior surface of the neck of the bottle or container and finally surface.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully'hereinafter. L

The invention consists substantially in the steps, modes of operation, combination of elements and details of arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as

become fused with said shown in the accompanying drawings and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown an illustrative structure and apparatus for em.-

bgdying the principles of my invention and the manner of operating the same in carrying out my new and improved method and wherein,-

Figure l is a broken view in vertical section of an apparatus adapted for carrying out my invention, and showing the container in the form of a bottle in position for application of a sealing closure of the open end thereof.

Figure 2 is a broken detail view in section, il-

lustrating a form of mechanism, which may be employed for stamping out the closure blanks of cellulose acetate material which are to be applied to the container.

Figure 3 isa view of the closure applying mechanism of the apparatus and showing the parts thereof after'the bottle has been lifted into position for its open end to contact with a blank of cellulose acetate material which is to constitute the closure.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and showing the parts in their respective positions as the bottle has been advanced further upwards with respect to the closure applying mechanism of the closure applying apparatus.

Figure 5 is a view showing the position of the parts after the bottle has been further advanced upwardly with respect to the closure applying mechanism.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 and showing the-parts in their respective positions after the sealing pressure of the closure applying mechanism has been completed.

Figure '7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 and showing propose to use blanks made from thin sheets of cellulose acetate material for the closures for the bottles or containers. The size of these blanks should be such that when they are applied to the opening of the bottle or other container they will have an outer peripheral edge portionthat will be adapted to be folded down on the outside of the neck of the bottle or container. These blanks may be shaped by hand or by any suitable stamping device.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings I have indicated suitable mechanism that may be employed for automatically stamping out the closure blanks from a sheet of cellulose acetate material. This mechanism comprises a die punch designated at 'l which is adapted to cooperate with a die plate shown in Fig. 2 and which cuts a circular blank disc 2 out of a sheet of cellulose acetate material indicated at 9. In the particular blank cutting mechanism as illustrated the die punch is supported and reciprocated from a sleeve 6 and is removably held therein by a screw I. When the make the material of the closure blank conform die actuated to'stamp out the circular blank 2 by suitable operating mechanism (not shown) the said blank is caused to be dislodged from the die and to be placed on the ledge 4 of a disc holding ring 5 by means of a,pad 3 supported on the stem '8 which is reciprocally mounted in the blank forming mechanism. After the stamped out circular blank 2 of the cellulose acetate material has been placed in. the disc holding ringi5, the ring isi c aused to be moved to the closure applying mechanism in any suitable manner and positioned with respect to mechanism as indicated in Fig. 1. It will be noted by referring to .Fig. 1 that when the disc holding ring has been properly positioned with respect to the closure applying mechanism the closure applying mechanism that-the open end of the neck portion thereof is presented; toward the centralportion of the cap blank 2 and in opthe closure applying mechanism. -The cup or plunger I0 is carried by a rod posed relation to a central cup or plunger |0 of The rod. ll works loosely in a sleeve I2 and may be actuated v in any suitablemanner in proper timed relation asby means of the connections I3 and I4.

A spring l5 serves to permit the tubular. cup

I0 cooperates with the end surface ofthe bottle neck to constitute in effect a clamp to clamp the closure blank 2 between them as indicatedin Fig. 3. The closed end of the cup or plunger 1 II! .is provided with a rubber ring member l6. This rubbenring I6 due to its resilient nature permits the closed end of the plunger cup lfl'to with anyvariation that might exist in the surface of the mouth'of the bottle when the'closure blankis clamped to the bottle mouthby said plunger; The closed end of the cup or plunger inner edge engages with the side of and forms a guide for the plunger cup member ID. The lower clamping collar}?! is so constructed that its inner edge portion forms an opening of a sufficient diameter that it will permit the entry of the bottle J the side of the bottle neck as the bottle is moved i up into the closure applying head.

The'chamber l3 formed in the closure applyirig head is provided with a threaded opening :9. Threaded in this opening is a steam inlet and ex- 1 haust pipe-30. The chamber I9 is also formed with an opening 3 which communicates with the chamber 32 formed in the closure applying head by the flexiblerubber ring 2| The chamber 20 formed in the closure applying head is provided with a threaded opening 33 in whichis threaded a pipe 34. The chamber 20 is also formed with ports or openings 35 which come municate with the chamber32 formed by the flexible rubber 2|. x The steam inlet and exhaust pipe 30 leading to chamber, I9 is provided with a three. way valve 36 which is adapted to control the entry ofsteam into said pipe and chamber and also which is adapted to control the opening and closing" of an exhaust conduit 38. l V

The pipe 34 leading from chamber 23 is'provided with a relief valve .39 which may be of any well known type of construction, such for instance as the one illustrated in Fig. 5, at 44. In the relief valve illustrated a weight 48 is provided which is adjustable on a bar 4|.

The bar 4| is pivotedat 42 and controls the movement of the stem 43 which regulates the opening and closing of the relief valve in casing 44.

Steam is supplied under pressure to chamber IQ of the closure applying head through a pipe 31 and the pressure thereof is regulated by an automatic operation of the three way valve 36. I have indicated in Figs. 1. and 5 the mechanical connections 36 and 3G for operating the three way control valve. I The valve as previously stated is operated automatically and in proper timed I0 is also formed .witha vent opening I! which relation with respect to the'advancing movement permits the escape of any moisture which might I more fully hereinafter described The cup member-or plunger I0 is slidably supported in a main casting of the closure applying apparatus; This main casting is designated gen-' erally by the numeral l8 and will be hereinafter referred to as theclosur applying head. The 'closure applying-head l8 is formed with two'-v chambers l9 and 20 and has a ring 2| of flexible and resilient material, such for example as rubber, mounted within the same and in such a mannerthat it forms athird chamber 32. ,The. rub-' v 23 are secured to the closure applying. head 8 by means of the screws 24, 24' and 25, 25,.

The clamping collar 22 is so shaped. that its of the bottle neck into the closure applying head.

- 'The operation of the closure operating mechv i p With the bottle to which theclosure is to be or con-- fapplied, in the position indicated at Fig. 1, and

wi'ththe parts of the closure applying mechanism in their respective normal positions as indicated in said figure, a downward movement is caused to be imparted to the rod ll of the cup or plungerl0 and an-upward movement is given to the bottle. -Suchfmovements cause the closedend of the cup member ID to clamp the closure blank 2 between it and the end surface of the bottle neck. The rubber ring Hi in the closed end of the cup plunger causes the material of the closure blank to become adjusted to any irregularities 7 that might be present in the end surface of the bottle neck when said clamping action is effected. The

position of the parts of the closure applying mechanism when the clamping action "is completed is illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Prior to the clamping of the closure blank to the bottle neck, steam, at a low pressure, is permitted ,to' pass through the three way valve 36 and to enter and circulate in the chambers I9, 26, and 32 and consequently the closure applying head casting and the rubber ring 2| are caused to be warmed up or heated. The heat supplied to the closure applying head casting by said steam is also transmitted to the rubber guide ring 26 whichis securedto the collar 23 by the screws 28. 28'. 3

The bottle neck is then caused to be gradually 7 further advanced upwardly into the closure applying head and the cup member of the closure applying apparatus while holding the closure blank against the mouth of the bottle and without release of its clamping action is causedto be moved upwardly in the capping head casting against the pressure of the spring l5.

During the upward movement of the bottle neck into the capping head thevolume and pressure of the entering steam is increased so that the rubb'er ring 2| is caused to be extended and so that its extended diameter is slightly less than the diameter of the bottle neck. Therefore, as the bottle neck is further progressed upwardly said ring will frictionally engage the closure material and cause it to envelop said neck and shape itself to conform with the exterior of said neck.

In Fig. 4,'the top portion of the neck of the bottle is indicated as just entering the closure applying head. Itwill be noted that during this further upward movement of the bottle neck the heated rubber ring 26 of the" closure applying head engages with the skirt porticn of the cellulose acetate closure' blank and causes the same to be folded'downwardly in a crimped or pleated manner and in a direction towards the outer surface of the bottle neck. .The heated condition of the ring 26 causes it to soften the cellulose acetate material of the skirt portion of the closure blank and reduce it to a molding state, and the inclined face 21 of said ring as it engages the softened pleated folds of the skirt portion effects an ironing out of said folds so that they will lay in a pressed intimate contact with the surface of the bottle neck.

In Fig. 4-it is also shown that at this stage of the operation of the apparatus, only a small volume of steam is permitted to enter the compartments of the closure applying head through the valve 36 and that'therefore only enough heat and pressure is-supplied to the apparatus to make it possible for the parts thereof to become warmed sufliciently to reduce the material of the skirt portionof the closure blank to a softened molding state and to eflect a pressing of said softened cellulose acetate material to the bottle neck.

In Fig. 5 the bottle neck is shown as .having been advanced upwardly into the closure applying head to a point where the top portion thereof is adjacent to the opening 3| in the chamber 9. During the movement of the bottle neck up .to this'posi-tion, the rubber ring 2| which has frictionally engaged with the pleated folds formed inthe skirt portion of the closure blank andhas completed the pressing of said folds into a molding contact with the exterior contour of the bottle neck.

' shown in Fig. 5 the valve controlling means for controlling the supply of steam to r chamber 19 is caused to be operated so that it is opened to its widest extent and so that a full pressure of the heated steam is permitted to enter said chamber. The heated steam under fullpressure after entering chamber l9 passes out of said chamber in a concentrated stream through the passage 3| and into chamber 32. The downwardly inclined directional shape of passage 3| causes the steam to be directed downwardly and at an angle'into chamber 32 and so that it is directed against the rubber ring 2| at a point'adjacent to where the passage 3| communicates with chamber 32. This continuous concentrated stream of suitable'operation of the three way valve 36 and the exhaust pipe 38 is opened to communication with chamber l9-to permit the steam which has been used to extend rubber ring 2| and to apply the concentrated heated pressure as above explained, to be exhausted, thereby releasing the flexible ring from contact with the closure and the. bottle neck and permitting the bottle with the closure applied to it to be withdrawn from the closure applying head. If desirable and to insure the removal of the flexible rubber ring from liability of contacting with any surface while the bottle is being withdrawn and while a new hottle is being inserted, instead of relying on the exhaustof the steam pressure medium, the clospipe 38 with a vacuum and thereby the closure applying head may be quickly relieved of all pressure tending to distend the rubber ring.

During the introduction of the steam to chambers l9 and 32 the condensation of the steam will have a tendency to settle in the lower por tion of chamber 32. Such condensation and also any surplus steam that may be built up in the said chamberis permitted to escape through the ports 35 into the chamber 20 of the closure applying head and thence out through thcdischarge pipe 34. The relief valve connected in said discharge pipe regulates the opening and closing of the said pipe when a certain predetermined: pressure is built up in the apparatus and allowing such surplus steam and condensation to escape therethrough.

During the operation of theclosure applying ure applying head may be connected through member ID is provided with a port or opening II which permits any moisture that may form on the top of the closure material to escape there-,

through when the mechanism or the closure applying apparatus is operated.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide an exceedingly simple and eflicient method of application of acellulose acetate sealing closure to receptacles and I havealso providedan exceedingly simple and efficient form of apparatus capable'of use in carrying out my invention. While I have described a specific form of apparatus for carrying out the process and while I have shown the application of the principles of my invention to the capping of bottles, it is to be understood that I do not wish to limit or confine myself to the use of any particular 7 type or structure of mechanism for carrying out my process, nor to any specific detail of the mechanical structure, except as hereinafter set forth in the claims. It is equally obvious that the principles of my invention are suitable for use-in the application of other types of structures of caps or closures and to other structures of receptacles or containers. 1

Having now set forth the objects and nature of my invention, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

v 1. The method of applying a sealing'closure to containers which consists in preliminarily applying the closure by stretching the central portion thereof over the mouth of the container andbending the outer peripheral zone portion over the crown of said container, then subjecting the bent 1 over outer peripheral-zone portion to an elastic heated pressure to force the same into a conforming fit with the exterior shape of .the sides of the container, and then finally subjecting the bent over portion, progressively throughout its length, to a concentrated and increased elastic pressure and a welding heat, to effect a fused application thereof to the container.

2. The method of applying sealing closures to containers which consists in positioning a container with respect to the closure, centering the closure over the mouth of the container, folding the outer peripheral edge zone of the closure over the crown of the container, then subject- "ing the folded edge zone portion to an elastic heated pressure to force the same into a conforming fit with the exterior shape of the sides of the container, then applying an increased elastic and heated pressure to the folded compressed portion of the closure to efiect a fused application of the same to the exterior surface of the container, then withdrawing the pressure.

3. The method of applying sealing closures to containers which consists in centering the: closure length of the compressed folded lpleats, applying thereto a concentrated weldingheat and an increased pressure to effect a welded or fused and conforming application of the material of said pleats to the container.

4. The method of applying sealing closures to containers which consists in preliminarily folding the closure over the mouth of the container and during the folding operation subjecting the folded portion to the action of heat of a sufficient degree to reduce the same to a moldable state and then compressing the folded portion against the sides of the container by means of an elastic heated pressure sufficient to force the same intoa final conforming and sealing position and to effect afused application thereof with.

the sides of the container. I I v 5. The method of applying sealing closures to containers whichconsists in folding the closure over the mouth of the container and then applying an elastic heated pressure'to the folded porers which consists in preliminarily applying the closure by stretching the same overthe mouth of the container and bending the outer pripheral zone thereofover the crown of the said container, then subjecting the bent over outer peripheral zone portion to an elastic heated pressure sufficient to reduce the cellulose acetate material of said zone portion to a plastic state ahd to mold the same into aconforming fit with the sides of the container and then progressively applying to said molded material of said closure throughout the length an increased velastic pressure at a fusing temperature so as to produce a fused application thereof to the sides of the container.

' '7. The method of applying closures formed of sheets of cellulose acetate material to containers which consists in preliminarily folding the sheet of cellulose acetate material over the mouth of the container and during said folding operation, heating the folded portion and then subjecting the folded portion to an increased heat and to an elastic pressure to reduce the material thereof to a plastic state and to press the same into a conforming fit with the sides of the container,

then increasing the .heat and the pressure to cause said material of the folded portion to 'become fused to the sides of the container.

8. The method ofapplying a sealing closure formed of a sheet of cellulose acetate material to containers whichconsists of first clamping the central portion of said sheet of, material over the mouth of the container, then causing theunclamped portion to be folded over the crown of tainer, and finally, with a heat and pressure sufficient to cause it to become-fused with the exterior surface of the container. I

9. The method of applying a sealing closure formed of a sheet of cellulose acetate material to containers, which consists of first clamping the central portion of said sheet of material over the vmouth of the container, then causing the unclamped portion to be folded over thecrown of the container and to be compressed against the sides thereof, and during this folding and comit is reduced to a plastic state,'then applying an increased pressure and heat to the compressed folded portion so that the material thereof will become fused with the exterior surface of the container.

10. The method of making and applying sealed closures to receptacles which consists of forming blanks of thin' sheets of cellulose material, then centering said blanks over the mouth of a receptacle to be sealed and closed, then clamping the central portion of the blank against the mouth of the receptacle, then folding the unclamped portion over the crown of the receptable and against the sides thereof, then subjecting the folded portion, to a resilient heated pressure to 'reduce the same to a plastic condition and to press the same into a molded application with the sides of the container, then increasing the temperature applied to the material of the folded portion, and also the resilient pressure to effect a fused application of the material to the sides of the container.

11. The method of applying a closure formed of a sheet of cellulose material which consists in first subjecting the sheet of cellulose acetate material to the expansive action of a gaseous medium in a heated condition to. force the material of said sheet into conformation with the shape of the container to which the closure is to be applied, and then finally subjecting the material of said sheet to an increased expansive action of said gaseous medium and at a higher temperature to effect a fusing of the. material of said sheet to the exterior surface of the container.

12. The method of making and applying closures on containers which comprises forming blanks of thin sheets of transparent cellulose acetate material, then centering the same over the mouth of a container, then supplying the peripheral zone of the blank with pleated folds at a temperature suificient to soften the transparent cellulose material and bending said folds over the crown of the container, then compressing said folds against the sides of the container at a molding temperature and finally increasing the temperature of the compressed folded material to a fusing temperature and increasing the pressure thereagainst to cause said folded material to become fused to the sides of the container.

13. The method of making and sealing closures on containers which comprises forming blanks of thin sheets of cellulose acetate material, suspending the closure blank, then centering the mouth of the container to be closed and sealed beneath said blank then folding the peripheral zone of said blank over the crown of the container, then compressing said folded portion against the sides of the container and at the same time warming the material thereof to a molding temperature, then heating the compressed material of said folded compressed portion to its fusing temperature and applying anincreased pressure throughout its length to cause a fusing of the material to the sides of the container.

14. In an apparatus for applying a sheet of cellulose acetate to a container to provide a sealing closure therefor, means for resiliently clamping and maintaining the central portion of said sheet over the mouth of the container as the closure is being applied, heated resilient means for folding the unclamped portion of said closure sheet over the crown and against the sides of the container, heated resilient means for compressing said folded portion into a conforming fit with respect to the sides of the container, and means for providing said last mentioned heated resilient means with an increasing heat and pressure during the compressing operation to initially reduce the cellulose acetate material of the folded portion of said closure sheet to a plastic and moldable state so that it will conform to the exterior contour of the container sides, and finally, so that the said material will become fused or welded to the surface of the receptacle.

15. In an apparatus for applying a sheet of cellulose acetate to a container to provide a sealing closure therefor, resilient means for folding the outer peripheral edge zone of said closure forming sheet over the crown of the container, heated resilient means for compressing the folded peripheral edge zone into a conforming fit with the exterior contour of the sides of the container, and means for providing said last mentioned heated resilient means with an additional pressure and an increased heated temperature to effect a fusing application of the folded compressed portion of said cellulose acetate sheet to the sides of the container.

16. In an apparatus for applying asheet of cellulose acetate material to a container to provide a sealing closure therefor, means for folding the outer peripheral edge zone of said closure forming sheet over the crown of the container and against the sides thereof, means comprising a ring of resilient material for compressing the folded peripheral edge Zone into a conforming fit, with the exterior contour of the sides of the container, means for permitting steam to apply the necessary pressure to said ring of resilient material to cause it to perform the compressing operation and also to cause it to heat the cellulose acetate material of said folded portion so as to reduce it to a plastic state during the compressing operation, and also for increasing the heated temperature of said ring and the pressure thereof so that said cellulose acetate material will be fused to the sides of the container during the com pressing action of the resilient ring.

17. In an apparatus for applying a closure formed of a sheet of cellulose acetate material to a container, a closure applying head adapted to receive the open end of the container, resilient means secured to said head for effecting the folding of the outer peripheral edge zone of the closure sheet over the crown of the container, as it is advanced into said head, a ring of resilient material secured in said head and adapted to compress the folded outer peripheral zone portion of the closure sheet against the sides of the container and with a conforming fit therewith, means for permitting steam to enter said head behind said ring to apply heat and pressure thereto, and means formed in said head for directing and concentrating the flow of incoming steam against said ring so that a greater peripheral and an increased heat is pr duced at a predetermined po sition of said ring than is provided at other portions thereof.

18. In an apparatus for applying and sealing closures on containers, a closure applying head, means for suspending a closure blank comprised of a thin sheet of cellulose acetate material in position with respect to said head, and above the mouth of a container to be closed and sealed, means for moving the container upwardly in a vertical direction into said head, resilient heated means secured to said head for guiding said container in its upward movement and for warming and frictionally enfolding the closure blank about the mouth of the container,-a resilient ring ing its compressing action to cause it to reduce face of the container, means for providing a heated pressure to said resilient ring member durthe material of the folded portion to a plastic state and to mold the material to the sides of the container, means in said headfor directing a'concentrated pressure at a fusing temperature against said ring member to cause it to fuse the vmaterial of the folded compressed portion of the closure blank to the sides of the container.

19. In, an apparatus for applying and sealing closures made of blanks-of cellulose acetate material, on containers, a closure applying head, means for suspending a closure blank with respect to said head and above the mouth of a container to be closed and sealed, means for moving the container upwardly in said closure applying head, 1

means in said head for effecting a folding of the closure blank about the mouth of the container,

means associated with said head for resiliently compressing the folded portion of the closure blank into contact with the sides of the container,

means for providing said resilient compressing means with a heated pressure sufiicient to reduce the cellulose acetate material of the folded portion to a plastic state and to mold it to the side surface of the container, means in said head for providing a concentrated pressure at a fusing temperature directed to said resilient compressing means to cause it to fuse the molded plastic material of the folded portion of the closure blank 3 to the sides of the container.

'20. An apparatus for applying cellulose acetate closures to bottles comprising a closure applying head, adapted to receive the neck of the bottle,

to which the closure is to be applied, a flexible rubber ring in said head adapted to embrace the necks ofthe bottles, a compression chamber around said rubber ring, means for admitting steam under pressure to said chamber and against said flexible rubber ring in a concentrated downwardly directed stream, means for exhausting said steam from said chamber while the neck of the bottle is within the closure applyingjhead,

and means for permitting the escape of an .excess amount of steam in said chamber.

21. An apparatus for'applying cellulose acetate closures. to bottles, comprising a closure applying head adapted to have positioned therein a closure blank of said cellulose-material and also adapted to receive the neck of the bottle to which the closure is to be applied, a flexible rubber-ring adapted to surround the neck of the bottle with .in the head and to frictionally apply the closure to the bottle neck, a pressure chamber around said ring, means for admitting steam under pres-.

sure 'to said chamber to force said ring against the neck of the bottle and so that it will apply said to be exhausted from said chamber, while the neck of the bottle is within the closure applying closure thereto, means forpermitting said steam V head, means for automatically permitting an excess amount of steam pressure in sasd chamber to be discharge therefrom, and means in pression chamber around said rubber ring, means 1 for admitting steam under pressure to said chamber, and against said flexible rubber ring in a concentrated downwardly directedstream to force said" rubber ring against the closurev and bottle neck, and means for regulating the force of the concentrated and downwardly directed steam pressure admitted to said chamber.

23. In an apparatus for applying a closure formed of a sheet of cellulose material to a con-.- tainer, a closure applying head adapted to receive the open end of the container, means for posi: tioning a sheet of cellulose acetate material with respect to said head andthe open end of the container, resilient means secured to said'head for effecting a folding of the outer peripheral edge zone of the closure sheet over the crown of the co tainer, as it is advanced into said-head, a 010 ed chamber in said head formed of a ring of resilient material and adapted to engage with and compress the folded outer peripheral edge zone of the closure sheetinto a conforming fit with the exterior surface of the container, 'a

further chamber formed in said head, means for supplying steam under pressure to said chamber, a passage formed in said chamber for permitting said steam under pressure to be directed in a concentrated stream into the chamber formed by the ring of resilient material and against the said ring, a further chamber formed in said head and having openings therein, communicating with the chamber formed by said ring, a pipe communicating with said last mentioned chamber to permit the escape of excess steam from said chamber and means associated with said pipe for regulatingthe escape of steam therethrough, and means associated with the first mentioned steam chamber formed, in said head for exhausting the HENRY F. GLUNZ. 

